Franchi Law Study Reveals the 5-Hour Window Behind Most Impaired Driving Fatalities in Hillsborough County, and the Corridors Where It Happens
TAMPA, FL (February 13, 2026) – Every night in Tampa Bay, a predictable pattern repeats itself. Between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m., the probability of sharing the road with an impaired driver rises sharply, and so does the chance of a fatal crash.
According to a new data analysis by former deputy sheriff turned Tampa personal injury attorney William Franchi of Franchi Law, this five-hour block – what law enforcement and traffic safety researchers call the “DUI Power Hours” – accounts for the overwhelming majority of alcohol-related crashes and fatalities across Hillsborough County and the state of Florida.
Key Findings at a Glance
- The “DUI Power Hours” (10 p.m. to 3 a.m.) account for a disproportionate share of impaired driving fatalities in Florida and nationwide.
- Peak fatality hour: 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., closely tied to bar closing times (2 a.m. statewide, extended to 3 a.m. in Tampa and up to 5 a.m. in Miami).
- Two-thirds of all fatal crashes between midnight and 3 a.m. involve a drunk driver, twice the overall average.
- Saturday nights are the deadliest: 47.6% of alcohol-impaired fatal crashes occur between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
- Hillsborough County leads Florida in DUI arrests despite ranking only fourth in population.
- Highest-risk Tampa Bay corridors: Ybor City/7th Avenue, South Howard Avenue (SoHo), I-275, Dale Mabry Highway, and the I-4 corridor.
- Nationally: 12,429 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes in 2023 – one person every 42 minutes.
The 5-Hour Window: What the Data Shows
Peak Fatality Hour: 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
The single deadliest hour for impaired driving crashes in Florida corresponds closely with bar closing times across the state.
Peak Serious Injury Hours: 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Serious (non-fatal) injuries are most frequent during the early portion of the power-hour window, as impaired drivers begin entering roadways during evening hours.
Alcohol-only fatalities peak dramatically between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., decline during daytime hours, and rise again after 6:00 p.m.
National data confirms the pattern: two-thirds of fatal crashes between midnight and 3 a.m. involve alcohol-impaired drivers, and more than 55% of drivers in fatal crashes during those hours were alcohol-impaired.
The Weekend Multiplier: Saturdays Are the Deadliest
Fatalities from impaired driving crashes are most frequent on Saturdays, with a pronounced spike on Friday and Saturday nights.
National data shows:
- 31% of fatal drunk-driving crashes occur on weekends.
- Fatal crashes are four times higher at night than during the day.
- The peak period is Saturday midnight to 3:00 a.m. Sunday.
For Tampa Bay, this means every Friday and Saturday night is effectively a high-risk event.
Tampa Bay’s DUI Danger Corridors
Ybor City / 7th Avenue
Tampa’s most concentrated nightlife district generates significant impaired-driver traffic, particularly after midnight on weekends. The November 8, 2025 crash that killed four people and injured 13 outside Bradley’s on 7th occurred at approximately 12:45 a.m., within the DUI Power Hours.
South Howard Avenue (SoHo)
The dense concentration of bars and restaurants generates frequent DUI enforcement activity and evening crash spikes.
Interstate 275
Wrong-way driving incidents involving impaired drivers are a recurring danger, especially during late-night hours.
Dale Mabry Highway
One of Tampa’s deadliest roads. A fatal DUI crash at Dale Mabry and Spruce Street occurred at 3:28 a.m., near the end of the Power Hours.
I-4 Corridor
Ranked among the deadliest highways in America, I-4 combines high speeds, impaired drivers, and limited nighttime visibility.
Hillsborough County’s DUI Enforcement Efforts
Hillsborough County maintains one of Florida’s most robust DUI enforcement programs, including a 20-deputy DUI Enforcement Squad.
- Thanksgiving 2025: 119 arrests
- New Year’s Eve 2025: 21 DUI arrests
- Independence Day 2025: 45 DUI arrests
- Cinco de Mayo 2025: 41 DUI arrests
The average BAC among arrestees is .143 – nearly twice Florida’s legal limit of .08.
Statewide and National Context
- Average of 1,044 deaths annually (2018–2022) from impaired driving in Florida.
- 29% of all traffic fatalities statewide involve impairment.
- 12,429 alcohol-impaired fatalities nationwide in 2023.
- 30% of all U.S. traffic fatalities involve a drunk driver.
Encouragingly, projections show road fatalities declined approximately 6.4% in early 2025 compared to 2024.
Why the Power Hours Persist
Perceived Invincibility
Drivers mistakenly believe late-night roads are safer due to lower traffic.
Cumulative Impairment
High BAC levels dramatically degrade reaction time, vision, and judgment.
Bar Closing Surge
Bar closing times create a predictable flood of impaired drivers.
Repeat Offenders
Drivers with prior DUI convictions are six times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes while impaired.
How to Protect Yourself During the DUI Power Hours
- Avoid driving between midnight and 3 a.m. if possible.
- Watch for erratic driving behavior and increase following distance.
- Use the right lane on highways to reduce wrong-way collision risk.
- Avoid nightlife corridors late at night.
- Report suspected impaired drivers by calling *FHP (*347) or 911.
- Always wear your seatbelt.
- If you plan to drink, plan not to drive.
Legal Rights for DUI Crash Victims
- Punitive damages may be available in DUI cases.
- Dram shop liability may apply to establishments that over-serve visibly intoxicated patrons.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage may be necessary due to Florida’s minimum insurance limits.
- Wrongful death claims may be filed by families of victims.
Florida law generally allows two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit.
About Franchi Law
Franchi Law is a Tampa-based personal injury law firm dedicated to representing victims of car accidents, DUI crashes, and serious injuries throughout the Tampa Bay area. Attorney William Franchi brings experience as a former deputy and complex personal injury litigator.
The firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning clients pay no attorneys’ fees unless compensation is recovered.
Free Consultation: (813) 800-4529
Email: william@franchilaw.com
Website: https://franchilaw.com/dui-defense-in-tampa/
Media Contact
Franchi Law
William Franchi, Attorney
(813) 800-4529
william@franchilaw.com
www.franchilaw.com